In the biggest funding boost for Port Macquarie Base Hospital since its construction, $265 million has been earmarked for a major upgrade of its clinical services.

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Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park confirmed that the emergency and maternity departments will be updated with advance figures suggesting it will be one of his portfolio’s biggest infrastructure projects.

This follows the completion of the hospital’s new rooftop helipad and the current expansion of its car park.

In welcoming news of the budget windfall, Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said the announcement will ensure the hospital keeps up with unprecedented demand.

“The fast paced growth of Port Macquarie and surrounds has meant increased pressure on hospital services with presentations in the emergency department consistently outstripping those in Coffs Harbour,” Mrs Williams said.

“I have continued to work closely with the Health Minister Ryan Park, the Mid North Coast Health District CEO Stewart Dowrick and the Local Health District Board, to ensure that our health needs remained a high priority.”

News of the upgrades will also come as welcome relief for the hospital’s over-stretched medical staff, particularly those in the emergency department where attendances have sky-rocketted.

The Health Minister hopes the creation of “modern and purpose-built health care facilities” will attract more healthcare workers to regional centres like Port Macquarie.

The upgrade is part of the Minns Government’s planned $3.4 billion investment in healthcare over the next year.

By Sue STEPHENSON